The Finished Mystery, considered as Volume 7 of Studies in the Scriptures, was first published in 1917 by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. It was advertised as the posthumous work of Pastor Charles Taze Russell but written by C. J. Woodworth and George Fisher and authorized for publication by J.F. Rutherford, second president of the Watch Tower Society.

At the end of the book’s Preface, Rutherford commented: “Some will murmur and find fault with this book; some will grow angry, and some will join the persecutors. But, we believe, every saint whose heart is filled with love for God and for His people will rejoice and give praise to the Lord for this further evidence of His blessed favor.”

That’s not quite what happened. It wasn’t “some” will murmur and find fault; “some will grow angry; and “some” will become persecutors, but the numbers of those who disapproved of the new book were beyond all expectations.